New online resource to improve support for neurodiverse children and young people in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is already proving a hit with website visitors. 

The Neurodivergent webpages on the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Healthier Together website, developed by parent carers and professionals, is one of the most popular areas, receiving the largest number of hits during the period 1 March and 31 December 2023, second only to the Home page. 

The Healthier Together website provides consistent, accurate and trustworthy healthcare advice for parents, carers, young people and professionals. All the information on the site is checked by clinicians, and local organisations and involves parent carers in its content development.  

The website has recently developed a specialised Neurodiversity section to the website to ensure the information meets the needs of parent carers and neurodivergent young people. By providing accurate and trustworthy information on neurodivergent conditions, the website aims to improve the quality of care for neurodivergent children and young people in the local area. 

Neurodiversity refers to the natural differences in the way our brains work. Some people refer to themselves as neurodiverse. However, more commonly the term neurodiversity is used to refer to everyone, including the full range of brain differences. For more information visit the What is Neurodiversity webpage.  

Neurodivergent children may have one or more of a range of conditions. The Neurodiversity section of Healthier Together currently includes sections on Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Tic and Tourette’s Syndrome. Over the coming months further pages will be added to cover other conditions such as Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  

Alongside condition specific webpages, and information about neurodiversity national organisations and useful websites, there are pages outlining the local support offer for children and families. These pages show the range of local support available across Shropshire and Telford, the majority of which do not require a child to have a diagnosis of a neurodivergent condition. 

Since its launch, feedback from parent carers and professionals has been very positive:  

"They've done a great job with bringing this all together on this website.  Very helpful, even the short breaks newsletter is linked in."  

"Loads of information - I have bookmarked this, and I will be sharing it out - it helps to explain neurodiversity." 

For more information, visit: https://stw-healthiertogether.nhs.uk/